Sulfonated aromatic copolyesters and articles made therefrom, and processes for producing the sulfonated aromatic copolyesters and articles are provided. Articles that can be made from the sulfonated aromatic copolyesters include films, coatings and laminates. Some of the compositions and articles are biocompostable. The films can further be used to form shaped articles such as sheets, food packaging such as sandwich wraps, thermoformed containers, and coatings for, for example, films and other substrates. The sulfonated aromatic copolyesters contain a hydroxyalkanoic acid component.